Aerial pic of Holdenby House
Dining Room at Holdenby
ELY CATHEDRAL
OLIVER CROMWELL'S HOUSE
Holdenby House
Oliver Cromwell
Private dinner at Holdenby House
Ely – for its magnificent Cathedral and Cromwell’s house
Cromwell Museum Huntingdon
Naseby Battlefield, the site of Cromwell's greatest victory
Oliver Cromwell - hero? Villain? Traitor? Whatever your view of this controversial historical figure, he certainly changed England. Cromwell came from humble beginnings - a minor land owner and farmer who rose to become king in all but name. His exceptional organisational abilities and military know-how allowed him to rise to Lieutenant-General of the New Model Army, a journey explored on this superb tour that takes you from his birthplace, Huntingdon, to Ely, his home from 1636 and to Naseby, site of his most famous battle in 1645.
Available Departures |
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| 17 - October - 2024 | £ 679.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Huntingdon from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception followed by a private dinner with wine, followed by a talk ‘Cromwell: His Life’ from renowned historian and author, Dr Elizabeth Norton.
Day 2: Ely and private visit and dinner at Holdenby House.
Travel to Ely and visit Oliver Cromwell’s home, originally built in the 13th century, now a museum dedicated to his life. We will also visit Ely Cathedral. The present building dates back to 1083, and, architecturally, it is outstanding both for its scale and stylistic details. Throughout the 1640s, with Cromwell’s army occupying the Isle of Ely, a puritanical regime of worship was imposed. That no significant destruction of the cathedral occurred during the Civil War, may be due to his protection. Return to the hotel with time to freshen up before a special private visit and dinner with wine at Holdenby House, one of the largest prodigy houses of the Tudor period. Charles 1st was imprisoned here after Naseby and later transferred to Oatlands, Hampton court and finally, Carisbrooke Castle before his execution.
Day 3: Naseby Battlefield and Huntingdon.
Our first visit this morning is to Naseby Battlefield, the site of Cromwell's greatest victory and widely recognised as the most important battle in English History after Hastings. Next we travel back to Oliver Cromwell’s home town of Huntingdon to visit the Cromwell Museum, located in the former Huntingdon Grammar School building, where the young Cromwell was educated as a schoolboy and first received exposure to Puritan ideas through the teaching of Dr Thomas Beard. On display is a vestry book of the parish of St Ives, which includes his signature, and some of his possessions, even his hat. Later in life Cromwell moved in powerful and wealthy circles and he received some beautiful gifts, now amongst the museum’s exhibits including a magnificent Florentine perfume cabinet, a gift from the Grand Duke of Tuscany and a 17th century medicine chest, still with its surgical instruments and tools, which Cromwell took on campaign with him. Also on show is the original escutcheon which was draped across his coffin and a death mask made directly from Cromwell’s face soon after he died. He was baptised at the church of St. John in 1599 and it’s here we visit next, before heading to the remains of Huntingdon Castle on a guided walking tour. We will end our day with an afternoon tea at The George Hotel, dating from the 15th century, the traditional coaching inn was originally home to Cromwell's grandfather and was once the headquarters of Charles I. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.15.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour managers discretion.
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 47 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Delta Hotels by Marriott Huntingdon
The four-star Delta Hotels by Huntingdon Marriott is located just off the A14 and is an ideal base for this tour. The hotel has an on-site restaurant and bar, perfect to relax in after a long day, as well as a fitness centre. Rooms are comfortable and contemporary with private bathroom with bath/shower, hair dryer, TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Huntingdon Hotel Website
Dr Elizabeth Norton is a British historian, specialising in the early modern period. She has degrees from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, as well as a PhD from King’s College London, where she has taught History. She has published widely, including the critically acclaimed ‘The Lives of Tudor Women’ (Head of Zeus, 2016) and biographies of four of Henry VIII’s wives, her PhD thesis looked at Catholicism in Elizabethan England. She regularly appears on television, including the recent BBC series, ‘The Boleyns, A Scandalous Family’, on which she also acted as Historical Advisor.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Historical aspect of the tour was excellent. Evening Dinner at the Stately Home was excellent Afternoon Tea on the last day was a bit of a fiasco
Review by Lillington who travelled 28-September-2023
Will book again.
Review by Jebbitt who travelled 28-September-2023
(1) I was a little apprehensive about going on this tour with such a large group size as I was travelling on my own, but it was fine as we were split into two groups for all of the visits which was much pleasanter. (2) I liked having some 'free time' in Ely. (3) Mobile phones - there were several occasions when we were having talks and peoples' mobiles started ringing. I personally think the tour manager should have asked people to switch their mobiles off both as a courtesy to the speakers / guides and so others in the group weren't distracted. (4) The volunteer guides who took us round Ely Cathedral and Cromwell's House were all excellent, but they were apparently unaware that we were specifically on an Oliver Cromwell tour. They said if they had been aware they would have pitched their talks at a different level and been more prepared for some of the questions members of the tour asked. This seems like an administrative oversight when the group tours were booked. (5) Travel scheduling - I enjoyed the visit to Holdenby House and recognise that going to the Battle of Naseby sites was an important part of the tour, but we travelled from Huntingdon to Holdenby on the Friday evening and then to nearby Naseby on the Saturday morning. I realise it would be a challenge, but combining the journeys somehow might have been preferable to reduce the amount of travel by coach - not from the length of time the journey took or being on the coach, but for environmental reasons. .
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-September-2023
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-September-2023
Been travelling with you for several years now and if we didn't like your tours, we would hardly keep coming back for more!
Review by Moss who travelled 28-September-2023
Oliver Cromwell. I thought the guide who travelled with us was excellent on her subject, particularly with her interpretations at the battle sites and as we travelled to the different places. I found hearing at the larger sites and the room we gathered initially at the Delta very hard, even though I wear hearing aids. The visiting speaker used the available amplified mics and I wished that the others had also used the same facilites which were available for several speakers. The interpreter who travelled with us used an in coach mic, but at the larger battle stop where we were more distant from her and the tour guide several of us heard very little of what was said, and wished that they had been mic-ed up. Personal amplified mics would have solved the problem and made the intetpretation available to all.
Review by Manuell who travelled 28-September-2023
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-September-2023
Review by Jones who travelled 28-September-2023
1, We thought we'd booked an accessible bathroom, but this wasn't available when we got there. This meant that Roger was unable to have a shower for the whole time (we booked the extra night). I am recovering from a broken hip and found it difficult and rather worrying to climb into the bath for a shower, (no rails, didn't dare move once I was standing in the bath, frightened of falling when getting out) 2, There was far too much coach travel, perhaps a hotel nearer to Ely/Huntingdon could have been found. 3, The expert guide bombarded us with far too much information, especially at Naseby battlefield. 4, At Holdenby House, we were interested in the Charles I connection, not an hour of hero-worship of the family who owned the Hall when we were ravenous!
Review by Nicholls who travelled 15-September-2022
Travel Editions feedback:
Thank you for your constructive comments and we are pleased to confirm we have changed the hotel on this tour to the Delta by Marriott Huntingdon.
Review by Fawdington who travelled 15-September-2022
Fascinating tour. Introductory talk excellent in setting the scene. Steve kept everything going to plan and Louise very knowledgeable and filling in the details as we went along, particularly with regard to Naseby. Another very enjoyable Travel Editions tour.. A special mentions for Pullhams coaches and Oscar, our driver.
Review by Williams who travelled 15-September-2022
A nice tour however I found it odd that our hotel was in Northampton for a tour about Oliver Cromwell, who lived in Ely and went to school in Huntingdon, where this a Marriott hotel. Staying there would have reduced the length of travelling time quite considerably. Despite that, we enjoyed the tour very much.
Review by Warren who travelled 15-September-2022
Oliver Cromwell is one of my favourite historical characters. Some years ago happened upon a pub in Huntingdon and saw what turned out to be OC's birth certificate copies. Noticed I share the same birthdate - 25th April- as the great man. Being a history nerd have retained an interest in the subject.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 15-September-2022
Our marking for the Tour Manager is based on his pre dinner invitation, in his opening remarks, to all present to stand and toast first the late Queen and then the new King. In our view this was totally inappropriate and made several people very uncomfortable, particularly as the group had literally been together for no more than a few minutes
Review by Kelly who travelled 15-September-2022
This was an excellent tour and we would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject. The tour managers were attentive and Louise and the other experts provided a comprehensive insight into the life of Oliver Cromwell. The opportunity to visit and dine at Holdenby House was very special and unique experience that marks out the quality of this tour.
Review by Lawrence who travelled 15-September-2022
An excellent tour. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The excellent introductory talk from Elizabeth Horton would have benefitted from a follow up talk on the last day, but time constraints might prevent this. A fascinating couple of days.
Review by Baker who travelled 15-September-2022
This tour was extremely well organised. The tour leader, speakers, guides and bus driver all provided excellent service and made the tour very enjoyable and informative. The accommodation was first class. The room was clean and comfortable and the food was lovely. All concerned were pleasant and nothing was too much trouble.. We did not hear a single complaint from any fellow travellers! It was s joy to be part of the tour. Thank you.
Review by Enright who travelled 15-September-2022
Review by Halligan who travelled 09-September-2021
An excellent tour with enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful tour manager and guide. It is a pity that the hotel was short of staff but it hardly detracted from the enjoyment; it just meant waiting a little longer to be served. The hotel staff were superb. We were lucky with the weather but even if we had not been it would still have been a great trip.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 09-September-2021
Review by Anonymous who travelled 09-September-2021
Review by Anonymous who travelled 09-September-2021
It was a wonderful selection of experiences . I managed to learn so many interesting facts . The itinery was busy but very satisfying , The meal on the Friday night was a first class bonus . For a not very confident distance driver the hotel was in a brilliant situation and first class too.
Review by Hughes who travelled 09-September-2021
Review by Anonymous who travelled 12-September-2019
Excellent tour, very well put together and all in a beautiful part of the country.
Review by Wallburton who travelled 12-September-2019
Review by Anonymous who travelled 12-September-2019
Hotel could have been closer to places visited.
Review by Headland who travelled 12-September-2019
The two tour leaders were very informative and enthusiastic about Cromwell and the history of the local area. The private visit was interesting and relevant. I would like you to include details of the hotel and its location in your brochure descriptions. This is the first time I have not been able to arrive at the hotel by local bus. Is there a more conveniently located hotel.
Review by Kirwood who travelled 12-September-2019
Review by Anonymous who travelled 12-September-2019
Good tour,we would have liked one extra day.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 12-September-2019
It would have been useful to have been given some recommendations for pre-tour reading.
Review by Finch who travelled 12-September-2019
A well managed and interesting tour. Mike Ingram and Ben Robinson were extremely knowledgeable and made the journeys between venues interesting with their comments. The local guides at Cromwell's House, the Cromwell Museum and Ely Cathedral were also excellent. It was difficult to know what to wear for the dinner - it wasn't black tie but some ladies were in evening dress - in future I'd probably avoid the tours with dinners other than in the hotel.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 20-September-2018
Very instructive bur also enjoyable. Mike Ingram very authoritative and amusing as always.
Review by McCoy who travelled 20-September-2018
Review by Winter who travelled 20-September-2018
Review by Anonymous who travelled 20-September-2018
Review by Bromage who travelled 20-September-2018
We had two managers leading the tour. Both were very good and made a lot of research into the subject matter. The two dinners proved were excellent. We made our own way to the hotel and needs to be reflected in the questions above. The Marriott hotel was good as you would expect from a Marriott hotel.
Review by who travelled 20-September-2018
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